Improvement in clasps for the bottom hoops of skirts



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE..

LUTHER W. MGFARLAND, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO FREDERICK S.OTIS, OF SAME PLAGE.

IMPROVEMENT IN CLASPS FOR THE BOTTOM HOOPS OF SKIRTS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 56,146, dated July 3,1866.

.of the bottom of a skirt with the said clasps applied thereto. Fig. 2is a perspective view of the clasp as ready to be applied, and Fig. 3shows the shape of the clasp as c'ut out from a flat piece of metal.

Similar` marks of reference denote the same parts.

In the manufacture of ladies7 skeleton-skirts it has heretofore beenusual to connect the vertical tapes with the hoops by means of claspshaving teeth that penetrate the tapes and are clinched around the hoops.At the bottom hoop the tape is not protected from wear by these teeth,and the ends of the tapes become frayed out very quickly and detractfrom the appearance of the skirt when in wear. Glasps have also beenmade for holding the cords in the tied skirts; but they have not beenformed with teeth that were adapted to penetrating the tape and holdingthe same.

My invention consists in a bottom clasp for uniting` the ends of thetapes and the bottom hoop of the skirts, said clasp consisting of pen-Vetrating-teeth to pass through the tape at the upper side of the hoopand be clinched at the back, a straight or nearly straight lip to passat the bottom of the hoop and be bent up against the back of the hoopand inclose and protect the lower end of the tape, and teeth at the endsof the clasp to be turned over to the back of the hoop and more securelyhold the clasp in place.

By this improvement the lower ends of the vertical tapes are protectedfrom Wear, being inclosed by the said metal clasp, and hence the frayingout and injury to such tapes by contact with the ground as a personwalks are prevented.

In the drawings, a represents the bottom hoop of a skirt of any usualcharacter; b, the vertical connecting-tapes 5 c, my improved clasp,formed with the teeth l l, that penetrate the tape at the upper side ofthe hoop u, and are bentdown over the back of said hoop. 2 is the lipthat incloses and protects the tape, being turned up at the back; and 33 are the end teeth that clasp over the hoop c for additional security.

If desired, the penetrating-teeth l 1 might be left off and a narrow lipor flange substituted to press against the surface o'f the tape, or theclasp may be formed without the end teeth, 3, if desired.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The bottom clasp formed with teeth, as specified, for attaching the tapeto the hook and protecting said tape, as set forth.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my signature this 26th day ofFebruary, A. D. 1866.

L. W. MGEAELAND.

